News Summary
The Knoxville City Council has authorized a contract with Blue Line Solutions LLC to install traffic cameras aimed at improving safety in school zones and addressing noise complaints. The initiative is a part of the city’s Vision Zero program to minimize traffic-related deaths and injuries. The contract includes placement of up to 150 cameras around public schools and 30 additional cameras at intersections for red-light monitoring. This proactive measure is expected to enhance overall traffic safety while also addressing noise complaints reported by residents in downtown areas.
Knoxville – The Knoxville City Council has approved a resolution to contract with Blue Line Solutions LLC (BLS) for the installation of traffic cameras aimed at enhancing safety in school zones and addressing noise complaints in downtown areas. The measure is part of the city’s broader “Vision Zero” initiative, which seeks to reduce traffic-related deaths and injuries.
The contract with BLS will last for five years, with options for two additional one-year extensions. Under the agreement, up to 150 “School Zone Enforcement Cameras” will be installed around public schools, with an initial focus on 73 identified school zones that have a high presence of pedestrians. This initiative is specifically designed to operate around Knoxville’s 46 public schools and does not include rural schools in the surrounding county.
Motorists who speed through camera-enforced zones will be photographed, and citations will only be issued after review by an authorized officer. The city will retain 52% of the revenue generated from traffic fines, while BLS will keep the remaining share. Additionally, BLS will manage all aspects of the camera equipment.
The resolution also entails the installation of 30 additional cameras at signalized intersections to monitor for red-light violations. These proactive measures are expected to improve overall traffic safety as part of an escalating enforcement effort by the Knoxville Police Department leading into Memorial Day weekend.
Concerns regarding loud vehicles have also prompted the city to test vehicle noise measurements since 2022, particularly in downtown Knoxville, where residents have frequently reported issues with excessive noise from late evening to early morning hours. The BLS contract includes plans to deploy “noise cameras” at critical locations such as Clinch Avenue and Gay Street, as well as Jackson Avenue and Central Street. These devices will monitor decibel levels to identify violations of noise regulations.
Following council approval, the installation of noise cameras is expected to be completed within 90 days. A previous pilot noise measurement device recorded a staggering 486 instances of excessive noise during a two-month period, highlighting the need for enforcement in this area. Furthermore, city personnel will undergo training on how to issue violation notices for both noise and traffic violations.
This initiative represents a significant step in Knoxville’s ongoing commitment to public safety and traffic management. The approval of this contract is a direct reflection of the city’s determination to address both speeding in school zones and noisy vehicles affecting the quality of life for downtown residents.
As public safety remains a top priority, the Knoxville City Council’s decision to enhance traffic enforcement through technology aims to create safer environments for students and residents alike. With the summer months approaching, the city expects these measures to proactively reduce potential traffic accidents, thereby fulfilling its Vision Zero goal of minimizing traffic-related injuries and fatalities.
As the BLS prepares for the installation of cameras, city officials will continue evaluating the effectiveness of these measures and looking for additional ways to improve compliance with traffic and noise regulations throughout Knoxville.
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Additional Resources
- WBIR: City of Knoxville Ready to Install Cameras
- Knox News: Do You Have to Pay Tickets from Red Light Cameras?
- WATE: No Charges Filed After Man Died in Custody
- Knox News: Tennessee Highway Patrol Partners with ICE
- Hoodline: Knoxville Police Launch High Visibility Traffic Enforcement
- Wikipedia: Traffic Safety
- Google Search: Traffic Enforcement Measures Knoxville
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Safety
- Google News: Knoxville Traffic Safety Initiatives
